Limited Quantities (LQ) vs Excepted Quantities (EQ): Key Differences Explained
· Updated:Limited Quantities (LQ) and Excepted Quantities (EQ) are two ADR exemptions for small amounts of dangerous goods. LQ (ADR chapter 3.4) covers inner packagings up to the limit in column (7a) of Table A, in packages of up to 30 kg gross with the LQ mark. EQ (chapter 3.5) covers much smaller amounts, set by codes E1–E5 in column (7b), with the EQ mark.
Sources: ADR 2025, 3.4.1, 3.4.2 and 3.5.1.2. ✓ Reviewed by an ADR Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) · Updated: 03/10/2026.
The essentials in four points
- Which one applies is decided per substance: column (7a) of Table A gives the LQ limit, column (7b) the EQ code. «0» in (7a) or «E0» in (7b) means the exemption is not permitted.
- LQ: up to 30 kg gross per package (20 kg for shrink- or stretch-wrapped trays), LQ mark, no UN-approved packaging.
- EQ: grams or millilitres per inner packaging (1 or 30), 300 to 1,000 per outer packaging depending on the code, EQ mark, drop- and stack-tested package.
- By air the rules are different: IATA DGR 2.7 for limited quantities and 2.6 for excepted quantities.
What are Limited Quantities (LQ)?
Limited Quantities is the ADR provision (chapter 3.4) that lets dangerous goods packed in small inner packagings travel with most ADR requirements lifted. The maximum quantity per inner packaging or article is the one shown for each substance in column (7a) of Table A (ADR 2025, 3.4.1).
LQ requirements under ADR 2025
- Inner packagings inside suitable outer packagings; total gross mass of the package max. 30 kg (3.4.2).
- Shrink-wrapped or stretch-wrapped trays are accepted as outer packaging, with a max. 20 kg gross per package (3.4.3).
- Each package bears the LQ mark (3.4.7.1).
- Before carriage, the consignor informs the carrier, in a traceable form, of the total gross mass of LQ goods (3.4.12).
- Transport units over 12 tonnes carrying LQ goods display the LQ mark at the front and rear, unless they already carry orange plates for other dangerous goods (3.4.13).
What are Excepted Quantities (EQ)?
Excepted Quantities is the ADR provision (chapter 3.5) for very small amounts per inner packaging. Each substance has a code in column (7b) of Table A, and the code sets two limits: one per inner packaging and one per outer packaging (ADR 2025, 3.5.1.2).
| EQ code | Max. per inner packaging | Max. per outer packaging |
|---|---|---|
| E0 | Not permitted as excepted quantity | |
| E1 | 30 g / 30 ml | 1,000 g / 1,000 ml |
| E2 | 30 g / 30 ml | 500 g / 500 ml |
| E3 | 30 g / 30 ml | 300 g / 300 ml |
| E4 | 1 g / 1 ml | 500 g / 500 ml |
| E5 | 1 g / 1 ml | 300 g / 300 ml |
Net quantities: grams for solids, millilitres for liquids and gases. Source: ADR 2025, 3.5.1.2. When goods with different codes share an outer packaging, the most restrictive code applies (3.5.1.3).
EQ requirements under ADR 2025
- The complete package must pass, with documented tests, a 1.8 m drop test and a stacking test without breakage or leakage (3.5.3.1). It does not need a UN specification mark.
- Each package bears the EQ mark (3.5.4.2).
- If a document accompanies the goods (CMR, bill of lading, air waybill), at least one must state «Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities» and the number of packages (3.5.6).
LQ vs EQ: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Limited Quantities (LQ) | Excepted Quantities (EQ) |
|---|---|---|
| ADR chapter | 3.4 | 3.5 |
| Where the limit is | Column (7a) of Table A | Column (7b) of Table A (codes E0–E5) |
| Limit per inner packaging | As given in (7a) for each substance | 1 or 30 g/ml |
| Limit per package | 30 kg gross (20 kg on shrink-wrapped trays) | 300 to 1,000 g/ml net, by code |
| Packaging | Suitable outer packaging, no UN approval | Drop- and stack-tested package (3.5.3), no UN mark |
| Package mark | LQ mark (black-and-white diamond) | EQ mark (hatched square) |
| Document | No ADR transport document; inform the carrier of the total gross mass (3.4.12) | If a document travels: «Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities» + number of packages (3.5.6) |
| By air | IATA DGR 2.7 | IATA DGR 2.6 (Table 2.6.A) |
What do the LQ and EQ marks look like?
The LQ mark is a square set at 45° (a diamond) whose top and bottom portions and border are black, with a white centre; minimum 100 × 100 mm (ADR 2025, 3.4.7.1). Packages prepared under the ICAO Technical Instructions for air may bear the same mark with a «Y» in the centre (ADR 2025, 3.4.8.1).
The EQ mark is a square with a hatched border, in black or red on a white background, minimum 100 × 100 mm. It shows the first or only label number from column (5) of Table A and, if not shown elsewhere on the package, the name of the consignor or consignee (ADR 2025, 3.5.4.2).
MYDG.SHOP supplies both: LQ marks and EQ marks, printed to the dimensions above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every substance can travel as LQ or EQ: check (7a) and (7b) first — «0» and «E0» mean no.
- Applying one EQ limit to all codes: the outer-packaging limit runs from 300 to 1,000 g/ml.
- Using the road LQ mark on an air shipment: by air, the IATA DGR rules in 2.7 apply.
- Forgetting to tell the carrier the total gross mass of LQ goods (3.4.12).
- Shipping EQ in a package that was never drop- and stack-tested (3.5.3).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LQ and EQ?
Both are ADR exemptions for small amounts. Limited Quantities (chapter 3.4) allows inner packagings up to the column (7a) limit, in packages of up to 30 kg gross, with the LQ mark. Excepted Quantities (chapter 3.5) allows only 1 or 30 g/ml per inner packaging and 300 to 1,000 g/ml per package, depending on the code in column (7b), with the EQ mark.
Where do I find whether a substance can be shipped as LQ or EQ?
In Table A of ADR 2025: column (7a) gives the limited-quantity limit and column (7b) the excepted-quantity code. Our free ADR Substance Lookup shows both from the UN number.
What is the maximum weight of an LQ package?
30 kg gross per package, or 20 kg gross when the outer packaging is a shrink-wrapped or stretch-wrapped tray (ADR 2025, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3).
Does an EQ package need UN-approved packaging?
It does not need a UN specification mark, but the complete package must pass documented drop tests from 1.8 m and a stacking test without breakage or leakage (ADR 2025, 3.5.3.1).
Do LQ and EQ rules work the same way by air?
No. By air the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations apply: limited quantities in section 2.7 and excepted quantities in section 2.6 and Table 2.6.A of the 67th edition. Check them before shipping by air.
Look up the LQ limit and EQ code of any UN number →
Information only: it assists the person responsible for the shipment and does not decide for them. Always check each substance's entry in Table A of ADR 2025 (and the IATA DGR 67th edition for air) and, if in doubt, ask your Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser.
